Help File

[mohammadagul]

Hello To All the Sophisticated Programmers,

Can Anyone Tell me how can i make a Help File like the one we see in Microsoft Access. Is there any FreeWare programm to download to make help file

Thanks

Muhammad Atif Gul

 

[dt01pqt]

Hello To All the Sophisticated Programmers,

Can Anyone Tell me how can i make a Help File like the one we see in Microsoft Access. Is there any FreeWare programm to download to make help file

Thanks

Muhammad Atif Gul

Windows help files are the most common format used. Basically all you need to create help files is a good text editor or a little knowledge of rich text for direct editing (combination is often necessary as text editors usually cause a mess of erroneous formatting) and windows help compiler (Microsoft does not like to shout about this). This is my preferred method as I can control the process entirely. You can get some help on direct editing from the help within the help compiler. Hmm.. I wonder if you can get the help of the help within the help compiler..hehe. The windows help compiler, which comes free with a number of common packages, enables you map help topics, create a contents list and more within a help book. I have created a help file for a database I worked on with around 80 topics using this simple method. Recommended that you read up on the various types of hotspots (like hyperlinks) and other useful features that you find in help files.

However it is important to point out that the windows help compiler is a compiler only and not a help editor. Also text editors edit text and not help files. So if you don't know how the help compiler processes rtf files then you might want to use one of the many help editing packages available (typically working in conjunction of a text editor such as word and comes with windows help compiler). This is also the only viable option for super large help files (unless you like to do your own automation - what are you looking at me for?).

You can assign a help file to a form, as well as providing help topics to objects on your interface in full or popup form. There are many other things you can do but I this is enough for now.

Hope I helped

pt

 

[Ramrod]

Not free... but pretty darn close for what it does. I have been using this for the last five years. Best intuitive help authoring tool I have ever used.

http://www.helpscribble.com/

 

[Oldsoftboss]

Dito Ramrod, one of the easiest help file authors around.